Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,338 – 6,384

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3752

Location

Ma’arat Al Sin, Idlib, Syria
معرة الصين
Up to two civilians were killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Ma'arat Al Sin, Idlib governorate, on June 4th, 2019, according to local sources. @HalabTodayTV tweeted that "one person was killed and others were wounded, as the regime's warplanes targeted the…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3751

Location

Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
كفرسجنة
Local sources reported the death of one civilian in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on June 4th. Syrian Network for Human Rights named the civilian killed as Abdul Razzaq al Hamwiya. @yamanalbauosh tweeted a video saying the rocket used in the attack carried phosphorous, and @SYR_REV_NEWS said vacuum rockets were also used. While Smart News…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3750

Location

Deir Sunbul, Idlib, Syria
ديرسنبل
Local sources reported that on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Russian and Syrian regime forces carried out a series of airstrikes using rockets and heavy artillery shells on several cities, killing one child in Deir Sunbul and injuring other civilians. The source claimed that the rockets used were loaded with phosphorus. The victim child…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

3 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3749

Location

Al Ankawi, Hama, Syria
العنكاوي
A man was reported killed when Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly struck Al-Ankawi village in Sahl al-Ghab northwest of Ham with heavy artillery and rocket shelling. According to Shaam News, "the rebels targeted the positions of the Assad forces at Hama military airport with Grad missiles in response to the shelling of civilians in…

Summary

Published
3 June 2019
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Incident Date

3 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3748

Location

Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
At least three civilians were reported killed when an airstrike struck the popular market in the city of Ma'arat Al Nu'man south of Idlib in the morning of June 3rd, 2019. Local sources reported that the market was struck with at least three missiles, also described as "rocket-propelled grenades", although Smart News Agency claimed the…

Summary

Published
3 June 2019
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Incident Date

3 June 2019

Incident Code

RS3747

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
Multiple sources reported that one civilian was killed in Heesh, Idlib, on June 3rd. Three sources named the victim of the airstrikes as Abdel Qadir al-Salloum. Syrian Network for Human Rights and other sources claimed that "missiles were fired near Martyr Fajr al Ismail School", with this source also reporting that the airstrikes "destroyed the school’s…

Summary

Published
3 June 2019
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